MAWSON EXPEDITION

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1931, Page 8

MAWSON EXPEDITION

STUDY OF LIFE OF PENGUIN. HATCHING IN THE DARK. “The Mawson scientific expedition lias concluded ilts work of the last two seasons, and the Discovery will probably return to England,” stated Mr It. A. Falla, son of Air and Airs Geo. Falla, formerly of Hokitika, ornithologist of the party, who returned to

Auckland by the Ulimaroa to continue bis work at the Auckland War .Memorial Museum. “Sir Douglas Mawson,” lie addod ) “is satisfied that the main aims of the expedition have been achieved.”

I Discussing his side of the work, Mr ■ Falla, said he had every reason to believe that the results were eminently satisfactory. A thorough iiivesM--1 . 0 gabion, bad been made of the life history of the penguin. 111 spite of all that had been, previously discovered and written there were always additional traits to he found, some of Hicin most amusing. The birds were very plentiful. In the winter season they left the shores of the Antarctic continent, and spent the season on the pack ice, returning to their rookeries at the beginning of summer. The small Adelie penguin nested in exposed rock, whereas the larger penguin, known as the Emperor, nested on th t? s ea ice in the depth of .the winter night, where the eggs were laid and the young hatched out in the dark. The heaviest penguin they weighed turned ithe scale at 601 b., hut that was by no means a record. They lived on surface fish, squids and small crustne-cs. The sea was teeming with that clans of life, which was the main food of the whale, seal and penguin. Mr Falla said it would take several years to complex the work of the expedition far as oflieia] reports were concerned. “Our work does not end when the ship comes home,” he said. A great deal of geographical work bad been undertaken, resulting in the discovery of and charting of some new const line. This year much charting had been done of Macßohertsoo Land, the name being given in honour of Air Macßohertson, the well known lolly-maker of Victoria, who had given the expedition much financial aid. He could not say whether any new birds had been found. They had brought hack many interesting varieties, especially octrois, but it would take some time to discover whether they had been seen by former expeditions.

“Macßohertson Land is a most interesting area.” said AIY Falla. Further investigations should repay another expedition. A party could spend its time to advantage wintering in the area and carrying out investigations bv sledge. There were gaps extending 1,000 miles or *0 that wei-e still lin charted. Asked if minerals bad been discovered. Mr Falla said that was a department that came personally under the P’lpervision ‘of Sir Douglas Afawson, and be was very reticent in respect to making statements, as he naturally wished to test many of the specimen*

lie had brought bade. AH- Falla, who looks f'nl and well, slated that all the members of the expedition were in the. best of health. He had snout two seasons ill the Antarctic—l 929-30 and 1930-31.